Bob Weeks
@bobweeks.bsky.social
I'm for individual liberty, limited government, and free markets. Anti-populist. Likes R packages. wichitaliberty.org.
“Post-truth is pre-fascism”
“Post-truth is pre-fascism”
"Are Trump's Tariffs Winning?" The Wall Street Journal, 4 Feb. 2026, www.wsj.com/opinion/donald-trump-tariffs-trade-evidence-8b77dc92
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
"Are Trump's Tariffs Winning?" The Wall Street Journal, 4 Feb. 2026, www.wsj.com/opinion/donald-trump-tariffs-trade-evidence-8b77dc92
Investment decisions are also being threatened by tariff unpredictability. The editorial concludes that Trump's economic successes have occurred despite tariffs, not because of them, and suggests that freezing tariffs and declaring victory would be less damaging than continued escalation.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Investment decisions are also being threatened by tariff unpredictability. The editorial concludes that Trump's economic successes have occurred despite tariffs, not because of them, and suggests that freezing tariffs and declaring victory would be less damaging than continued escalation.
Finally, the board disputes Trump's claims of a manufacturing revival. Manufacturing employment fell by roughly 63,000 jobs in 2025, steel employment has barely increased, and downstream industries such as autos are declining.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Finally, the board disputes Trump's claims of a manufacturing revival. Manufacturing employment fell by roughly 63,000 jobs in 2025, steel employment has barely increased, and downstream industries such as autos are declining.
allies pursue trade agreements without Washington, potentially leaving American companies at a long-term disadvantage.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
allies pursue trade agreements without Washington, potentially leaving American companies at a long-term disadvantage.
China is cited as the major exception. Beijing retaliated aggressively, harming U.S. soybean farmers and forcing federal subsidies, while leaving Chinese trade practices largely unchanged. Beyond measurable costs, the editorial highlights diplomatic damage as U.S.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
China is cited as the major exception. Beijing retaliated aggressively, harming U.S. soybean farmers and forcing federal subsidies, while leaving Chinese trade practices largely unchanged. Beyond measurable costs, the editorial highlights diplomatic damage as U.S.
These carve-outs, the authors say, have fueled lobbying and blunted retaliation, as many countries wait out U.S. policy uncertainty.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
These carve-outs, the authors say, have fueled lobbying and blunted retaliation, as many countries wait out U.S. policy uncertainty.
Sweeping "Liberation Day" tariffs triggered a market selloff and were quickly scaled back, followed by negotiations and extensive exemptions for products such as consumer electronics, food commodities, jet engines, and rare-earth minerals.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Sweeping "Liberation Day" tariffs triggered a market selloff and were quickly scaled back, followed by negotiations and extensive exemptions for products such as consumer electronics, food commodities, jet engines, and rare-earth minerals.
The editorial also argues that Trump's actual tariff policy is far narrower than his rhetoric.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The editorial also argues that Trump's actual tariff policy is far narrower than his rhetoric.
Consumers pay either through higher prices or reduced choice, a reality Trump himself has acknowledged.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Consumers pay either through higher prices or reduced choice, a reality Trump himself has acknowledged.
consumers bear up to 43 percent of the burden, with American firms absorbing much of the rest. Other research, including from Germany's Kiel Institute, finds Americans pay as much as 96 percent of tariff costs.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
consumers bear up to 43 percent of the burden, with American firms absorbing much of the rest. Other research, including from Germany's Kiel Institute, finds Americans pay as much as 96 percent of tariff costs.
The board challenges Trump's repeated claim that foreign producers bear most tariff costs. While Trump cites Harvard research suggesting foreigners pay at least 80 percent, the editorial explains that updated findings show a 24 percent retail pass-through and that U.S.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The board challenges Trump's repeated claim that foreign producers bear most tariff costs. While Trump cites Harvard research suggesting foreigners pay at least 80 percent, the editorial explains that updated findings show a 24 percent retail pass-through and that U.S.
In their view, recent economic resilience has come from congressional action to avoid large tax increases, deregulation efforts, and strong investment driven by artificial intelligence, not from tariffs.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
In their view, recent economic resilience has come from congressional action to avoid large tax increases, deregulation efforts, and strong investment driven by artificial intelligence, not from tariffs.
The authors begin by rejecting Trump's assertion that critics predicted tariffs would cause a recession, noting instead that their own argument was that tariffs function as a tax that slows growth, with net effects depending on other policies.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The authors begin by rejecting Trump's assertion that critics predicted tariffs would cause a recession, noting instead that their own argument was that tariffs function as a tax that slows growth, with net effects depending on other policies.
Article Summary:
The editorial examines President Trump's claim that his tariffs are "working" and concludes that the evidence does not support him.
The editorial examines President Trump's claim that his tariffs are "working" and concludes that the evidence does not support him.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Article Summary:
The editorial examines President Trump's claim that his tariffs are "working" and concludes that the evidence does not support him.
The editorial examines President Trump's claim that his tariffs are "working" and concludes that the evidence does not support him.
* Tariff uncertainty has harmed markets, strained alliances, and failed to revive manufacturing employment.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
* Tariff uncertainty has harmed markets, strained alliances, and failed to revive manufacturing employment.
Key Takeaways:
* Tariffs act as a tax on Americans, raising prices and reducing consumer choice.
* Most empirical research shows U.S. consumers and firms bear the bulk of tariff costs.
* Economic growth has been supported by tax restraint, deregulation, and AI investment, not tariffs.
* Tariffs act as a tax on Americans, raising prices and reducing consumer choice.
* Most empirical research shows U.S. consumers and firms bear the bulk of tariff costs.
* Economic growth has been supported by tax restraint, deregulation, and AI investment, not tariffs.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Key Takeaways:
* Tariffs act as a tax on Americans, raising prices and reducing consumer choice.
* Most empirical research shows U.S. consumers and firms bear the bulk of tariff costs.
* Economic growth has been supported by tax restraint, deregulation, and AI investment, not tariffs.
* Tariffs act as a tax on Americans, raising prices and reducing consumer choice.
* Most empirical research shows U.S. consumers and firms bear the bulk of tariff costs.
* Economic growth has been supported by tax restraint, deregulation, and AI investment, not tariffs.
diplomacy, and offsetting growth that has come largely from tax restraint, deregulation, and the artificial intelligence investment boom.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
diplomacy, and offsetting growth that has come largely from tax restraint, deregulation, and the artificial intelligence investment boom.
One-Sentence Summary: The Wall Street Journal editorial argues that President Trump's tariffs have failed to deliver their promised economic gains, instead raising costs for Americans, distorting markets, weakening U.S.
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
One-Sentence Summary: The Wall Street Journal editorial argues that President Trump's tariffs have failed to deliver their promised economic gains, instead raising costs for Americans, distorting markets, weakening U.S.
ARE TRUMP'S TARIFFS WINNING? 🧵
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
ARE TRUMP'S TARIFFS WINNING? 🧵
This comprehensive fact-check examines the verified timeline, competing White House explanations, Republican condemnation, and critical unanswered questions.
See:
https://www.wichitaliberty.org/politics/trump-obama-ape-video-fact-check-truth-social/
See:
https://www.wichitaliberty.org/politics/trump-obama-ape-video-fact-check-truth-social/
February 7, 2026 at 12:47 PM
This comprehensive fact-check examines the verified timeline, competing White House explanations, Republican condemnation, and critical unanswered questions.
See:
https://www.wichitaliberty.org/politics/trump-obama-ape-video-fact-check-truth-social/
See:
https://www.wichitaliberty.org/politics/trump-obama-ape-video-fact-check-truth-social/
President Trump's Truth Social account posted a 62-second video late on February 5, 2026, that included imagery depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes -- one of the most explicit racist tropes in American history. The post remained online for approximately 12 hours before deletion.
February 7, 2026 at 12:47 PM
President Trump's Truth Social account posted a 62-second video late on February 5, 2026, that included imagery depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes -- one of the most explicit racist tropes in American history. The post remained online for approximately 12 hours before deletion.
TRUMP'S OBAMA APE VIDEO: FACT-CHECKING THE TRUTH SOCIAL CONTROVERSY
February 7, 2026 at 12:47 PM
TRUMP'S OBAMA APE VIDEO: FACT-CHECKING THE TRUTH SOCIAL CONTROVERSY
IS DONALD TRUMP RACIST?
Is President Donald J. Trump racist?
You decide.
Link to post on Truth Social:
truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
Is President Donald J. Trump racist?
You decide.
Link to post on Truth Social:
truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
February 6, 2026 at 3:24 PM
IS DONALD TRUMP RACIST?
Is President Donald J. Trump racist?
You decide.
Link to post on Truth Social:
truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
Is President Donald J. Trump racist?
You decide.
Link to post on Truth Social:
truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
DEAR SEN. SCOTT
It is not fake. You should have known this about the person you've supported.
Link to post on Truth Social:
truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
It is not fake. You should have known this about the person you've supported.
Link to post on Truth Social:
truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
February 6, 2026 at 3:16 PM
DEAR SEN. SCOTT
It is not fake. You should have known this about the person you've supported.
Link to post on Truth Social:
truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
It is not fake. You should have known this about the person you've supported.
Link to post on Truth Social:
truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
Meeting summary and fact-check:
https://www.wichitaliberty.org/politics/trump-signs-appropriations-act-feb-2026-fact-check/
https://www.wichitaliberty.org/politics/trump-signs-appropriations-act-feb-2026-fact-check/
February 6, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Meeting summary and fact-check:
https://www.wichitaliberty.org/politics/trump-signs-appropriations-act-feb-2026-fact-check/
https://www.wichitaliberty.org/politics/trump-signs-appropriations-act-feb-2026-fact-check/